“What about you? It doesn’t look like you’re thrilled with your blind date.”
Kendall tipped her head back and laughed. “Now that is an understatement. We couldn’t be more different. Looks like I’m in for a long night.” She straightened her shoulders. “Might as well get back to it.”
And since Cassie wanted to return to Derek, she agreed.
Chapter Nine
While Derek watched for Cassie’s return, he hung with Lucas near the bar. Maxie had excused herself to take a phone call. He wasn’t sure where Kade and Lexie had disappeared to, but Lexie was probably calming her husband down. Kade and the mere mention of Julian was an explosive combination.
Derek appreciated that Cassie had removed Kendall from the situation without knowing all the details. But now that Julian had left the event, everyone could get back to enjoying the evening. And he intended to do just that with Cassie when she returned.
“What happened with Julian?” Derek asked Lucas.
“What always happens with Julian. I read him the riot act, warned him to stay away from Kendall. He swore he didn’t know she’d be here.” Lucas shrugged. “I know we always come to the gala, but she doesn’t. So he could be telling the truth. But he couldn’t take his gaze off Kendall either.”
Derek groaned. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s mellower. Something’s changed with him, though I can’t put my finger on what. And since we’ll never be tight again … I probably never will.”
Derek let out a slow breath. “Got it. And agree. Listen, since I have you alone, I need a favor. Remember you hired a PI to look into Julian? I need the name of the company you used.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
Derek leaned an elbow against the wooden bar top. “I want to do some digging into Cassie’s brother. Her old man handed him the chairmanship, and he treats her like shit. He spent the last year in Europe and has no business experience that I know of. I can’t help but wonder if he’s the weak link to my buying the company.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. The PI’s name is Evan Mann. I’ll text you the number tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you sure you want to dig around behind Cassie’s back?” Lucas asked.
Derek rubbed the back of his neck. “No, but I’m going to. My gut is telling me there’s more to her brother than she knows.”
Lucas leaned on the side of the bar with one elbow. “You know what’s best. Are you still planning a takeover?”
Derek shook his head. “Not in a way that screws Cassie. I haven’t figured out what I want to do, but information is my friend.”
“She’s coming.” Lucas gestured toward the far side of the room, where Kendall and Cassie were walking toward them.
Kendall was attractive, but Derek only had eyes for the woman in red. Her dress had enough slits to tempt a man to sin, and Derek was more than ready to misbehave with Cassie, as soon as possible.
“Hi,” Cassie said, joining him, a smile on her beautiful face.
Kendall waved and headed toward where her sister, Kade, and Kendall’s date stood by a window across the room.
“I’m going to go find Maxie,” Lucas said, excusing himself and walking away.
Derek turned to Cassie. “Hi, yourself. How is Kendall? Is she more settled?”
Cassie nodded. “She is, for now. But something tells me she and Julian Dane have unfinished business.”
Derek frowned at that assessment. “That’s not good. Because from what Lucas says, Julian doesn’t seem finished with her. And I really don’t want to have to bail Kade out of jail. He’s extremely protective of his sister-in-law.”
“Because of her mental illness?”
“She told you, did she?”
Cassie nodded. “I like Kendall.”